How to create a job

Do you find that you are struggling to find jobs in Zambia? Perhaps you are a student looking to get your first job or maybe you are an experienced candidate struggling to find employment in an extremely competitive jobs market.

In the latest careers article from Go Zambia Jobs we explore how you may be able to create a job when it appears that no jobs exist. We also discover the real-life example of how Justin was able to create a job. Sound interesting? Read on for more information…

The hidden jobs market

The jobs pages of www.gozambiajobs.com (Zambia’s #1 job site) are a great way to find advertised jobs in Zambia. However, many jobs in Zambia are not advertised. The two main reasons why jobs are not always advertised are:

Employers can find a suitable candidate without advertising the job

Employers do not realise that they need a new employee

We will examine each of the above reasons why jobs are not always advertised and explore what tactics you can use to enter the hidden jobs market.

1. Employers can find a suitable candidate without advertising the job

Put yourself in the position of a small-business owner in Zambia. Perhaps you run a successful retail business or a small company providing accountancy services. What is a low-cost, low-risk method of finding a new employee? One such method would be to promote an existing candidate. This is a low-cost solution as you do not have to advertise the position and a low-risk method because you know exactly the type of person that you are getting. The job is therefore never advertised to the wider market.

So how can you enter this hidden jobs market? There are a number of things that you can do:

Submit speculative applications and hope that employers keep your record on file

Offer to work for free as an intern or on a commission only (or output) basis

Let friends and family know that you are looking for an opportunity

Write articles or blogs to raise awareness of your skills and abilities

Attend events and discussions held by professional membership bodies such as the ZIHRM and ZICA etc.

2. Employers do not realise that they need a new employee

This is a slightly different to the scenario above in so much as the employer is not actively looking to recruit a new employee. Consider once again that you run a successful retail business or a small company in Zambia. Business is ok and you are not looking to hire any new employees. How might a potential new employee contact you and convince you to change your mind? What will they have to demonstrate in order for you to hire them?

This is the real-life example of how Justin created his job:

After several months of applying for advertised jobs I decided to attempt to enter the hidden jobs market. I knew that I had lots of skills and energy that would be useful to most organisations so started to look for hidden opportunities. I read newspapers, articles and discussions and researched employers and job opportunities available. I found a small business which I thought I may be able to add-value to through my knowledge of marketing and the latest marketing techniques. I contacted the owner in person and was able to convince him to offer me a 1-month unpaid work trial. During this period I was able to develop the business and increase sales and at the end of the trial was offered a paid employment opportunity. It was not the big company that I hoped to join following graduation but I have gained vital work experience and have enjoyed the opportunities that being part of a small company offers.

If we examine the approach that Justin took we can highlight what Justin did to find employment in the hidden jobs market.

Understood the employment environment by reading newspapers, articles and discussions and by researching different employers

Contacted the employer in person and offered them a low-cost and low-risk trial

Proved during the trial that he was able to add value to the company

Conclusion

Whilst the advertised jobs market can be a good way to find employment, it is important to consider that opportunities also exist in the hidden jobs market. The information provided in this article suggests ways in which you can think and act to improve your chances of finding or creating employment in the hidden jobs market.